The University of California — a system of six academic health centers and four children’s hospital campuses — and a union representing more than 25,000 nurses across 19 facilities operated by the university have reached a tentative labor agreement, the union and UC said in statements Nov. 16.
The California Nurses Association and the university reached the agreement after bargaining for new contracts since June.
As part of the nurses’ tentative deal, CNA has canceled its two-day, systemwide strike, according to the union and UC. The University Professional and Technical Employees–CWA Local 9119, which represents 21,000 pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and healthcare, research and technical employees, has also reached an agreement with UC and will not participate in the strike.
“University of California RNs organized for and won important patient protections at the bargaining table, like curbing the rampant misuse of floating and ensuring safeguards on artificial intelligence,” Kristan Delmarty, RN, member of the UC bargaining team and CNA’s board of directors, said in a statement. “Going into this round of bargaining, it was our priority to ensure UC nurses were given the resources to care for our patients and ourselves after years of short-staffing and under-resourcing. We achieved our goal, and now we stand together with our AFSCME colleagues, whose essential work demands the same resources guaranteed by a fair contract.”
In a separate statement, Missy Matella, associate vice president for systemwide employee and labor relations at UC, said the agreement with CNA “reflects the tireless work and collaboration of UC’s bargaining team, medical center leaders, and systemwide leadership working hand in hand with our dedicated nurses. We’re grateful to the nurses and the CNA bargaining team for their partnership and shared commitment to what matters most: our patients and the UC community. This strong, forward-looking deal honors the vital role nurses play in delivering exceptional care and advancing UC’s public service mission.”
According to UC, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents more than 40,000 UC Health service workers and technicians, such as custodians, food service workers and patient care assistants, is still holding the Nov. 17-18 strike.
Union members cited rising inflation outpacing wages — leading to worker attrition — and ongoing staffing concerns as key reasons for the labor action.
“When we show up together, we win together. This is for our families, our patients, and for the future we deserve!” the union wrote on X Nov. 16, according to the Los Angeles Times. “Members and allies, bring your energy, see you on the line!”
The university said in a Nov. 14 statement that “in July, after 16 months of good-faith negotiations and completion of all state-required impasse procedures, UC implemented key terms from its last, best, and final offer to ensure these employees receive meaningful and immediate pay and benefit increases. Under the terms implemented, all AFSCME-represented employees now earn at least $25 an hour, effective July 2025, and receive up to $1,500 per year in healthcare premium credits.”
UC added that “AFSCME has not presented any substantive counterproposals since April 2025,” but that the university is “hopeful and committed to working toward a fair and sustainable agreement that supports our employees and advances the university’s mission of service, education and research.”
